บท 71: Chapter 28 The trees prefer calm, but the wind does not stop
Shù yù jìng ěr fēng bù zhǐ The trees prefer calm, but the wind does not stop
In spite of a wish for peace, trouble is brewing. Things develop regardless of how you might wish. Powerless to influence outcome
"Aiya, why are kids enlisting?" The childish voice sounded behind a cute animal mask asking HeiYing, who was overseeing recruitment.
"Answering to the DaRen (master), I'm the only male in the family," the smallest boy answered while trying to balance his pitchfork.
"We were also promised grains for our family. This fall we experienced locusts and heavy rainfall, our livestock did not survive and the village does not have enough to pass through the cold winter."
The little boy in patched up clothing, with the seams showing the stuffed straws inside his clothing, looked at straight to HeiYing's eyes, "if I don't serve the nation, what will happen to my family if the national fall?" The boy's expressive eyes was resolute, impressing the soldiers who had heard him. Even Murong LiWang was moved, crying "good boy" in her little heart.
"Your family would want you alive than a sack of rice," HeiYing was moved too but his impassive face did not reveal anything. The masked little master, next to this ice block, was bobbing her head in approval.
"You will be a man in a few more years, leave the fighting to us old people first " HeiYing gestured to the back, "bring some rice balls over and a sack of rice for this brave boy."
HeiYing looked back at the child, "You take this back home, this should help a little." HeiYing gave the boy the promised small sack of grains, "We hope this war to end soon and bring peace to the nation quickly so it will be safe for you to take your family further north. Leave the nation to us older ones first and come and find us in few more years if you really want to serve the nation."
"Yes. You leave it to these big brothers, for now, just concentrate to grow up!" Murong LiWang grabbed the child's hand and took him running to the back, "Come follow me!"
HeiYing did not pause from his work and continued with the recruitment, as if his young master's antics was of no surprise to him. The grim soldiers around him, gave a slight tug of their lips. Having a passionate and warm hearted little master enliven the dreary days of the people within the camp.
"The general's heir is sure very lively." Helan Jiang looked on from the side. Helan Jiang and the 9th prince had been guest of General Murong, waiting for Helan business grains to arrive for people of Peace Swallow Town and refugees around the city walls.
General Murong had already prepared the escort for them to cross safely towards Sheng kingdom but the 9th prince, Xue ShiMin, merely said a short delay was alright and he wanted to help around to lessen the suffering of his people.
With the affable attitude of the the 9th prince around the soldiers and his willingness to be around the people, eating the army food, had given a favorable impression on the Peace Swallow Town's residents and the soldiers. With the exception of General Murong, who was anxious to get this prince out of his camp.
HeiYing had nothing personal against 9th prince and but he was influenced by the General to make sure the 9th prince not to be close to his young master, Murong LiWang. No one should know about the brilliance of his young master, including a royal child.
In fact, the entire royal family was deemed unworthy to be close to Murong LiWang by her father, General Murong. HeiYing did not know who was worthy but his task was to distract Murong LiWang to go somewhere else when the 9th prince was near his vicinity.
"I admire this straightforward child. Maybe we can pull him to our side? Even though you don't want the gilded chair, your other brothers will not give you peace and definitely try to get the backing of Murong family. And as much as General Murong also want to avoid the palace wolves, he cannot hide at the borders for long.
This commoner suggest for the prince to be the fisherman to reap the benefits when the opportunity is right in front of you," Helan Jiang looked at Murong LiWang's back profoundly before turning to Xue ShiMin.
"That child is more than he seems." 9th prince, Xue ShiMin replied. He recognized the mask and the gait. Since he had become more proficient with martial arts, Xue ShiMin was able to determine body silhouettes clearly. It was unmistakably the person who had saved him from assassins in the capital, whom he had mistaken as a small stature grand master.
Since now he had connected his savior to this Murong boy, counting their years difference and that round head with that familiar small back... could Murong LiWang be his savior then when he was young?
How could he forget about his savior? That face, her sweet voice and the back that he tried so hard to etch into his memories. An uncontrollable wave of disappointment came towards the 9th prince. 'So finally when I found her, turns out, she isn't a she but a boy instead?'
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